Fuse



March 2 8, 1944. J. H. CHURCH ETAL FUSE Filed Feb. 6, 1.940

Patented Mar'. 28, 1944 FUSE Joseph H. Church, Austin, Minn, and GregoryJ. Kessenich, Madison, Wis.

Application February 6, 1940, Serial No. 317,558

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 3700. G. 757) 4 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to us ofany royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a fuse for a projectile.

In U, S. Patent 639,214 and in French Patents 504,857 and 516,457 thereare shown projectiles loaded with nitroglycerin and an absorbent whichremain insensitive until the nitroglycerin is separated from theabsorbent under the influence of centrifugal force due to rotation ofthe projectile. Because of the dead space occupied by the absorbent theexplosive force of the nitroglycerin is generally insufficient toproperly fragment the projectile.

In providing a projectile which is arranged to carry a relatively largecharge of high explosive that is to be initiated by a relatively smallcharge of nitroglycerin which is to serve as a supersensitive fuse, thespace limitations of a fuse casing for a small caliber projectile andpractical considerations of manufacture and assembly impose restrictionson structural arrangements.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a fuse in which a cushioningmember for supporting the charge against the forces of set-back hassuificient strength or mass to maintain a relatively weak or thincapsule in position as the projectile is fed through the mechanism of anautomatic gun.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects andadvantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of severalembodiments as shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section ofa projectile and the improved fuse.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modification of the fuse.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of another modification.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the plug of Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a projectile comprising a shell orcasing 5 having a closed base and an open front end and providing achamber for receiving a relatively large main charge 6.

A fuse adapted to be carried in the nose of the casing comprises acapsule I which may be made of thin copper material and is formed withan ogival head 8 and a rearwardly constricted conical body 1- Thecapsule contains a relatively small charge it! of nitroglycerin mixedwith an absorbent such as kieselguhr or fullers earth. This charge isnormally insensitive but becomes sensitive after the projectile is somedistance in night beyond the muzzle of the gun, the nitroglycerinseparating out from the absorbent under the influence of centrifugalforce and being distributed along the wall of the capsule.

A bushing H of a yielding material such as lead is provided with aconical aperture Ila complementary to the conical body 9 of the capsuleand is fitted on the body. The bushing preferably terminates in rear ofthe shoulder I2 of the capsule so that the shoulder overlies the rim E3of the bushing. The bushing also terminates short of the rear end I4 ofthe body 9 so that a cap 15 closing the rear end may be applied andserve as a nut to maintain the assembly,

The bushing is inserted in the open front end of the casing 5 and it maybe held in place by frictional engagement or by a threaded connectionIt.

In operation, the bushing l I serves as a cushion for supporting thecapsule against the force of set-back on firing the projectile. Duringflight the nitroglycerin separates out from the absorbent under theinfluence of centrifugal force and is distributed along the wall of thecapsule. On impact with an object such as airplane wing or balloon cloththe head of the capsule will be crushed or deformed or forced rearwardlyand will initiate explosion of the nitroglycerin which in turn willdetonate the main charge. This will be facilitated by the pinchingaction of the shoulder I2 against the rim of the bushing and the casingand by forcing the absorbent rearwardly through the constricted body 9of the capsule.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2 a similar result is obtained by avariation of the structure. A plug ll of a yielding material such aslead is inserted in the rear end of an ogival capsule l8 and aconnection illustrated by threads l9 may be formed in the rear part ofthe capsule to conneot these two members and to provide a means ofattachment to a projectile casing 28. The plug has a rearwardlyconstricted aperture 2| to provide a conical seat for the charge 22. Athin disk 23 of wax or lead placed on the outer end of the main chargeestablishes a closure for the fuse when it is assembled to theprojectile.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 a conical capsule 24 has a closure 25 whichcarries a pin 25 whereby it may be attached to a bushing or plug 21having apertures 28.

By virtue of the foregoing arrangements, 2. projectile of small calibermay retain its usual proper form factor, the provision of which in amechanical nose fuse is practically impossible of achievement. At thesame time the cushioning member has sufficient mass or strength toprovide a firm connection for holding the capsule in position as theprojectile is moved through the feedway of an automatic gun.

We claim: 7 V

1. In a fuse, a capsule having an ogival head and a rearwardlycontricted body, a charge of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent inthe capsule and adapted to be separated from the absorbent under theinfluence of centrifugal force to be exploded on impact, a bushingfitting'on the constricted body of the capsule and having a rimunderlying the forward end of the body and a cap on the rear end of thebody for holding it in the bushing.

2. In a fuse, a. capsule having an 'ogival head and a rearwardlyconstricted body, a charge of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent inthe capsule and adapted to be separated from the absorbent under theinfluence of centrifugal force to be exploded on impact, a bushingfitting on the constricted body of the capsule and having a rimunderlying the forward end of the body and means on the rear end of thebody for holding it in the bushing.

3. In a fuse, a capsule having an ogival head and a rearwardlyconstricted body, a charge of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent inthe capsule and adapted to be separated from the absorbent under theinfluence of centrifugal force to be exploded on impact, a bushingfitting on the contricted body of the capsule and a cap on the rear endof the body for holding it in the bushing.

4. In a fuse, a capsule having an ogival head and a rearwardlyconstricted body, a charge of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent inthe capsule and adapted to be separated from the absorbent under theinfluence of centrifugal force to be exploded on impact, a bushingfitting on the constricted body of the capsule and means on the rear endof the body for holding it in the bushing.

JOSEPH H. CHURCH. GREGORY J. KESSENICH.

